Numbers 25

1 morabatur autem eo tempore Israhel in Setthim et fornicatus est populus cum filiabus Moab

2 quae vocaverunt eos ad sacrificia sua at illi comederunt et adoraverunt deos earum

3 initiatusque est Israhel Beelphegor et iratus Dominus

4 ait ad Mosen tolle cunctos principes populi et suspende eos contra solem in patibulis ut avertatur furor meus ab Israhel

5 dixitque Moses ad iudices Israhel occidat unusquisque proximos suos qui initiati sunt Beelphegor

6 et ecce unus de filiis Israhel intravit coram fratribus suis ad scortum madianitin vidente Mose et omni turba filiorum Israhel qui flebant ante fores tabernaculi

7 quod cum vidisset Finees filius Eleazari filii Aaron sacerdotis surrexit de medio multitudinis et arrepto pugione

8 ingressus est post virum israhelitem in lupanar et perfodit ambos simul virum scilicet et mulierem in locis genitalibus cessavitque plaga a filiis Israhel

9 et occisi sunt viginti quattuor milia homines

10 dixitque Dominus ad Mosen

11 Finees filius Eleazari filii Aaron sacerdotis avertit iram meam a filiis Israhel quia zelo meo commotus est contra eos ut non ipse delerem filios Israhel in zelo meo

12 idcirco loquere ad eos ecce do ei pacem foederis mei

13 et erit tam ipsi quam semini illius pactum sacerdotii sempiternum quia zelatus est pro Deo suo et expiavit scelus filiorum Israhel

14 erat autem nomen viri israhelitae qui occisus est cum Madianitide Zambri filius Salu dux de cognatione et tribu Symeonis

15 porro mulier madianitis quae pariter interfecta est vocabatur Chozbi filia Sur principis nobilissimi Madianitarum

16 locutusque est Dominus ad Mosen dicens

17 hostes vos sentiant Madianitae et percutite eos

18 quia et ipsi hostiliter egerunt contra vos et decepere insidiis per idolum Phogor et Chozbi filiam ducis Madian sororem suam quae percussa est in die plagae pro sacrilegio Phogor

Numbers 25 Commentary

Chapter 25

The Israelites enticed by the daughters of Moab and Midian. (1-5) Phinehas puts Zimri and Cozbi to death. (6-15) The Midianites to be punished. (16-18)

Verses 1-5 The friendship of the wicked is more dangerous than their enmity; for none can prevail against God's people if they are not overcome by their inbred lusts; nor can any enchantment hurt them, but the enticements of worldly interests and pleasures. Here is the sin of Israel, to which they are enticed by the daughters of Moab and Midian. Those are our worst enemies who draw us to sin, for that is the greatest mischief any man can do us. Israel's sin did that which all Balaam's enchantments could not do; it set God against them. Diseases are the fruits of God's anger, and the just punishments of prevailing sins; one infection follows the other. Ringleaders in sin ought to be made examples of justice.

Verses 6-15 Phinehas, in the courage of zeal and faith, executed vengeance on Zimri and Cozbi. This act can never be an example for private revenge, or religious persecution, or for irregular public vengeance.

Verses 16-18 We read not that any Midianites died of the plague; God punished them with the sword of an enemy, not with the rod of a father. We must set ourselves against whatever is an occasion of sin to us, ( matthew 5:29 matthew 5:30 ) . Whatever draws us to sin, should be a vexation to us, as a thorn in the flesh. And none will be more surely and severely punished than those who, after Satan's example, and with his subtlety, tempt others to sin.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 25

The contents of this chapter are, the sin of the people of Israel, their whoredom and idolatry, Nu 25:1-3, their punishment for it, multitudes being slain, Nu 25:4,5, whose number is given, Nu 25:9, the zeal of Phinehas in slaying two notorious offenders, Nu 25:6-8, whose names are observed, Nu 25:14,15 for which he is commended, and the covenant of priesthood was given and confirmed unto him, Nu 25:10-13, and the chapter is concluded with an order to vex the Midianites, for vexing Israel with their wiles, Nu 25:16-18.